Hi Everyone! Here's What’s Happening This Week!

Split Lip was spotted in the Sunshine Village car park ahead of this weekend's Slush Cup - which is either a coincidence or a bear who knows the events calendar. He usually favours Lake Louise, but Sunshine is the only resort still open, so here we are.

The timing is worth noting because the long weekend forecast is not especially inviting for anyone else planning to show up. Environment Canada has issued a special weather statement for Kananaskis and the mountain park. Snow is expected Saturday along the Trans-Canada west of Calgary - up to 20cm on higher terrain, though forecast amounts are described as highly uncertain. Plan accordingly, and check conditions before you leave.

On the housing front, Bill 28 has quietly done significant damage to Canmore's vacancy tax revenue. Provincial legislation removed Alberta residents from the taxable pool, cutting projected income from $10.3m to $4.4m and dropping funding for housing providers from $12.2m to $2.5m. Over 500 households are currently on Canmore Community Housing's waitlist.

If you're coming in regardless of the weather, Blackstone Mountain Lodge in Canmore is worth a look - one, two, and three-bedroom suites with full kitchens, about 20 minutes from Banff. More practical than a hotel room if you're staying a few nights.

There is plenty happening this week. Dive into the event listings below, or check out the detailed events page on our website.

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If you’re travelling with family or a group, having space to spread out can make a big difference. Blackstone Mountain Lodge in Canmore offers one, two, and three-bedroom suites with full kitchens, making longer stays or family trips much easier. You can prepare simple meals, keep snacks on hand, and enjoy the extra space that comes with separate bedrooms and living areas.

The lodge is in Canmore, about 20 minutes from Banff and minutes from the gates of Banff National Park. You still get the same dramatic Rocky Mountain scenery, but in a town that feels a little more relaxed. It works well if you want easy access to the park while staying somewhere that feels more like a home than a hotel.

Book now and enjoy the space of a mountain suite.

🐻 Split Lip Makes It to the Slush Cup. Banff's most infamous grizzly was spotted in the Sunshine Village car park ahead of this weekend's Slush Cup. Split Lip usually favours Lake Louise - but Sunshine is currently the only resort still open.

🌨️ Long Weekend Snow Warning. Environment Canada has issued a special weather statement for Kananaskis and the mountain parks, with snow expected Saturday along the Trans-Canada west of Calgary. Accumulations of up to 20cm are possible on higher terrain, though forecast amounts are described as highly uncertain.

🏘️ Bill 28 Trims Canmore's Vacancy Tax. Provincial legislation has removed Alberta residents from Canmore's vacancy taxable pool, cutting projected revenue from $10.3m to $4.4m. Funding for housing providers drops from $12.2m to $2.5m. Canmore Community Housing currently has over 500 households on its waitlists.

🏔️ Bow Valley Needs a Plan. Canmore council has unanimously backed a regional destination stewardship council to coordinate tourism across the Bow Valley - bringing municipalities, land managers, and Indigenous groups to the same table for the first time. Banff National Park and Kananaskis Country both set visitor records in 2025, drawing 4.5 million and five million people respectively, with Canmore between them.

🏛️ Banff Avenue Visitor Centre Design Chosen. Parks Canada has selected Paul Raff Studio and Kengo Kuma & Associates to lead the redevelopment of the 200 block of Banff Avenue - a community space preserving views of Mount Rundle. Funding for construction remains unconfirmed.

🏀 Canmore Clubs Push for Indoor Sports Facility. A petition backed by local basketball, volleyball, and squash clubs is calling for a multi-sport facility in Canmore, where gym space hasn't kept pace with growth. One competitive basketball group has been training in a warehouse in Dead Man's Flats.

🌨️ It's a mixed bag ahead - the Rockies are keeping things interesting this weekend. Friday brings a chance of rain showers or flurries with a high of 11°C. Saturday cools things down with snow or rain and a high of 6°C. Sunday stays unsettled with a chance of flurries or rain showers, again reaching 6°C. Full Forecast Here

🐻 Three Cubs Stopped Traffic on Highway 742. Bear 139 and her family were spotted on the Smith-Dorrien Trail earlier this month - one cub walked upright for roughly ten feet before dropping back to all fours. See the full video.

📸 Banff Photoshoot Experience - A private two-to-three-hour shoot with a local licensed photographer across up to three locations. Good way to get photos that actually do the scenery justice - edited gallery included, and pickup from Canmore is available.

🛶 Lake Louise Canoe & Moraine Lake Tour - Skips the queues at both lakes, which is half the reason to book it. This six-hour guided trip includes an hour's paddle on Lake Louise and road-access-only Moraine Lake - limited to 14 people.

🚡 Jasper SkyTram - Whistlers Mountain - Seven and a half minutes to 2,263 metres, with six mountain ranges in view at the top. Worth going early to avoid the crowds - the summit trail adds another 1.4km if you want to push higher.

After a full day of hiking, queuing, and paying Banff prices for everything, a proper soak isn't a luxury - it's a medical necessity. These three hotels make it easy to find hot water and horizontal time without leaving the building.

🌋 Otter Hotel - Banff's newest upscale option sits slightly away from the downtown circus on a quiet stretch above Banff Avenue, which is precisely the point. The rooftop hot pools face Cascade Mountain and are reserved for guests only - no day-trippers, no surprises. Free underground parking and complimentary ROAM bus passes mean you won't have to think about your car once you've arrived. Read The Reviews And Book

🛶 Hotel Canoe and Suites - On Banff Avenue but on the quieter uptown end, Canoe has rooftop hot pools plus a sauna, and the reviews consistently rate the staff as genuinely helpful rather than simply present. Free parking is included, which in Banff is roughly as rare as affordable accommodation. Rooms are spacious with balconies and mountain views, and you get ROAM bus passes thrown in, too. Read The Reviews And Book

🎢 Douglas Fir Resort and Chalets - Up on Tunnel Mountain Road, about a 20-minute walk or a short bus ride from downtown, Douglas Fir does something none of the flashier properties can: it has Banff's only waterslides. The indoor waterpark - two slides, a pool, hot tub, sauna, and steam room - is free for guests, making it the obvious choice for families who need to keep children occupied on a rainy afternoon. Condo-style units with full kitchens and wood-burning fireplaces handle the rest. Read The Reviews And Book

💰 Is October a good time to visit Banff for value? It is one of the better months - shoulder season means accommodation is noticeably cheaper than summer, with fewer crowds at most attractions.

🔊 How should you behave on the trail to avoid surprising a bear in Banff or Canmore? Make noise regularly, travel in groups, and stay alert - bears rarely want a confrontation, and giving them warning you are coming is your best first defence.

📅 Does Banff have events and festivals year-round? Yes - festivals and events run in every season across Banff, Canmore, and Jasper, from winter carnivals to summer music festivals.

Yesterday’s Question: Which easily accessible alpine area is shown in this photo, known for summer wildflowers and high mountain views near Banff?

✅Answer: 2) Sunshine Meadows - 66% Correct

Sunshine Meadows is an easy way to enjoy alpine views and summer wildflowers without a long hike. Find out how to make the most of the area in our Sunshine Meadows Guide.

The Banff Gondola is one of Banff’s most popular attractions. It offers an easy way to reach the summit of Sulphur Mountain without hiking. The short 8-minute ride leads to observation decks, a boardwalk, and an interpretive centre. For a special winter experience, head up at sunset and catch the Nightrise light show.

Book your ride for summit views without the hike!

📅 Today’s Events are listed below. To view future events, visit our website.

BANFF EVENTS | CANMORE EVENTS | JASPER EVENTS | BANFF HAPPY HOURS | CANMORE HAPPY HOURS |

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